{"id":353515,"date":"2016-12-23T16:14:12","date_gmt":"2016-12-23T21:14:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/sikkelee-and-aviation-product-liability-claims.html"},"modified":"2025-09-11T14:18:34","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T19:18:34","slug":"sikkelee-and-aviation-product-liability-claims","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/sikkelee-and-aviation-product-liability-claims.html","title":{"rendered":"Sikkelee and Aviation Product Liability Claims"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Sikkelee and Aviation Product Liability Claims<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Robert Rafii, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Robert Rafii, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Sikkelee v. Precision Airmotive Corp<\/i>. was a notable case in aviation product liability law. It concerned preemption for air safety. In this case, the court agreed to allow claims under state law rather than federal law.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Personal injury and wrongful death laws have changed over time. Some of these changes come from new legislation. Others come from noteworthy court decisions. Injury cases can also be complex because of differences between states’ laws and federal laws.<\/p>\n

This is true of aviation injury cases, too. One such case involved the death of pilot David Sikkelee and aircraft product liability<\/a> laws.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This article explains the legal theories and outcomes of Sikkelee v. Precision Airmotive Corp<\/i>. Yet, every case is unique. A personal injury lawyer<\/a> can describe how statutes and case law may apply to your specific claim.<\/p>\n

What Happened in the Sikkelee Case?<\/h2>\n

In 2005, David Sikkelee and his brother had just taken off when their Cessna 172N\u00a0lost power, crashed into the ground, and erupted in flames. A government investigation\u00a0found problems with the carburetor<\/a>,\u00a0which regulates the engine’s air-gas ratio and speed.<\/p>\n

This led to a lawsuit called\u00a0Sikkelee v. Precision Airmotive Corp<\/i><\/a>. Sikkelee’s widow filed a wrongful death case<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That case has since led to significant changes. They affected the entire field of aviation product liability for some states. The changes also influenced narrowing federal preemption law in the airways.<\/p>\n

What Are Aviation Product Liability Claims?<\/h2>\n

Large commercial airline crashes in the U.S. are rare but still happen. Smaller, private airplanes face less government regulation but they are involved in accidents more often. Many aviation accidents are attributed to pilot error, but a large number are the\u00a0result of aircraft defects<\/a>. Accidents involving aircraft defects can give rise to aviation product liability claims.<\/p>\n

Product liability claims are lawsuits against manufacturers or distributors of faulty products. In this context, they refer to legal action against producers of airplane component parts (aviation manufacturers).<\/p>\n

State law standards of care can extend to claims regarding:<\/p>\n